Early Childhood Science Teacher

The Episcopal School of Dallas
Dallas, TX United States

Purpose:

An ESD Early Childhood Science Teacher is a passionate educator with comprehensive knowledge of early childhood development who employs a variety of teaching tools and methodologies to educate students in Beginner (3’s) – Kindergarten/Primer in a robust science and design thinking learning program. This teacher will be responsible for developing and implementing an articulated, project‑based science curriculum. The ideal candidate is a passionate master science teacher who possesses a broad and deep knowledge of how children learn science in a hands‑on classroom and lab environment, as well as how to critically assess learning in all areas of science.

This teacher must be able to work collaboratively with others to build a culture of interdisciplinary learning and to modify curriculum to meet the unique needs of every child.

• Promote the best interests of each child in the Lower School within the context of the Mission Statement and the Founding Tenets
• Create and implement engaging, hands‑on science learning experiences for students that reflect developmentally appropriate skills, a logical sequence of topics and reasonable student assessments
• Develop a project‑based, articulated curriculum that challenges each student and includes clear learning outcomes for students and parents
• Partner with the Design Lab teacher to introduce the tenants of design thinking
• Manage science materials
• Use appropriate technology in support of the curriculum
• Engage in curriculum development as necessary
• Engage in reflective practice and professional development
• Cultivate a culture of interdisciplinary science learning
• Collaborate with homeroom and other science teachers
• Implement ESD learning and teaching priorities
• Participate in outdoor education program with each grade level

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues
• Conduct a Parent Orientation meeting in the fall with homeroom teachers
• Attend parent conferences on scheduled family conference days, convene or attend additional meetings as needed in individual cases
• Make phone calls and/or send emails to parents, tutors and support personnel to ensure honest, open and regular lines of communication
• Write report cards with thorough, positive and honest comments each trimester. Reports should be specific to give the parents a clear understanding of a student’s skills, strengths and weaknesses and should include recommendations/suggestions for improvement. Spelling, grammar and content should be of professional quality.
• Work closely with colleagues to build the school’s curricular initiatives
• Provide regular curricular updates via classroom newsletter

• Participate and engage in professional activities and gatherings at team, departmental, divisional, and school-wide levels
• Complete recommendations for educational testing and for admission to other schools
• Attend regularly scheduled grade level meetings and cross-grade level meetings

• Attend a chapel service daily
• Keep a current substitute folder at all times
• Keep permanent student files current
• Prepare classroom and attend all meetings during scheduled in-service
• Complete all end of year responsibilities and submit checklist before leaving for summer vacation

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with students.
• Attends required abuse risk management training.
• Adheres to procedures related to managing high‑risk activities and supervising students.
• Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors.li>
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.

• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling.
• Generally, 40% sitting, 40% walking, and 20% standing.
• Minimal temperature variations (regular exposure to outside temperatures)
• Off‑site travel to include rustic environments and occasional overnight trips
• Generally, a hazard‑free environment.

• 3+ years of teaching and inspiring students to be confident scientific thinkers preferred
• A degree in education, science…